Antidoping Education program carried out by SportAccord at the 2014 CMAS Finswimming Junior World Championship
22.07.2014
The SportAccord Doping-Free Sport Unit (DFSU) was invited by the World Underwater Federation (CMAS) to join the 2014 Finswimming Junior World Championship held in Chania, Greece from the 25th June to the 1st July 2014.
The DFSU ran anti-doping education sessions for the athletes, based on the WADA Outreach model, and took part in the coaches’ seminar organised by CMAS to raise antidoping awareness among coaches.
The education program included dialogue with athletes and coaches on the topic of antidoping, distribution of information material such as brochures and leaflets, as well as promotional items provided by the Greek antidoping authority (ESKAN). Furthermore in collaboration with the local organisers, a pocket size version of the WADA prohibited list was distributed to all participants.
“The finswimming commission is satisfied with what was carried out by SportAccord during this championship. Indeed, it's at the time of these events, which gather the world panel of the athletes and of the trainers that is the most favorable moment to communicate on the prevention of doping. Preventive information is an important axis of the CMAS's sporting work plan. For this reason, this type of educational program is carried out regularly during the different world championships.” says Mr Michel Gaunard, President of the Finswimming Commission.
“SportAccord’s priority is prevention and education, therefore it is an important mission for its Doping-Free Sport Unit to collaborate with Member International Sports Federations to help increase awareness and knowledge of antidoping matters among athletes and their support personnel.” says Mr Marius Vizer, SportAccord President.
Similar to the previous edition of the Finswimming Junior World Championship, the core of the outreach program was focused on the WADA PlayTrue Quiz; each participant was asked to answer 10 questions and received a personal score as well as detailed explanations of the correct answers.
All national teams’ coaches took part to the seminar that featured antidoping as one of the main topics. The audience was informed on Antidoping Rule Violations and obligations of the athletes’ support personnel, which will take effect January 1st 2015 with the adoption of the new World Anti-Doping Code (WADC). The discussion also included general information on Therapeutic Use Exemptions, nutritional supplements and how to prevent doping through education. Coaches are role models for athletes and no one is in a better position to transfer sound principles and values to athletes. In the achievement of this goal the education of coaches also plays a crucial role.
SportAccord thanks CMAS for the successful collaboration and for their continuous effort to keep their sport clean through the education of youth athletes and coaches.
